South Korea To Ban Mobile Phones In School Classrooms

SEOUL — South Korea passed a measure connected Wednesday to prohibition the usage of mobile phones and different integer devices successful schoolhouse classrooms nationwide, arsenic interest grows astir nan effect of heavy societal media use among nan young.

The ban, which will return effect from March adjacent year, makes South Korea nan latest state to restrict nan usage of smartphones and societal media among minors.

Australia precocious widened its pioneering prohibition connected societal media for teenagers. A prohibition connected mobile phones successful Dutch schools has improved attraction among students, a study recovered successful July.

Surveys show South Korea is among nan world’s astir digitally connected countries, pinch 99% of South Koreans online and 98% owning a smartphone, according to nan U.S.-based Pew Research Center, nan highest complaint among nan 27 countries it examined successful 2022 and 2023.

The authorities imposing nan prohibition garnered bipartisan support successful Wednesday’s parliamentary vote.

“Our youth’s addiction to societal media is astatine a superior level now,” said Cho Jung-hun, a lawmaker from nan guidance People Power Party and a sponsor of nan bill.

“Our kids, their eyes are reddish each morning. They are connected Instagram until 2 aliases 3 a.m.,” Cho told parliament.

About 37% of middle- and high-school students opportunity societal media affects their regular lives, while 22% consciousness anxious if they cannot entree their societal media accounts, a study by nan Education Ministry recovered past year.

Many schools successful South Korea already person their ain restrictions for smartphone use, which nan measure now formalizes.

Digital devices will still beryllium permitted for students pinch disabilities aliases for acquisition purposes.

Some younker defense groups person opposed nan smartphone ban, saying it would break children’s quality rights.